August 31, 2012 5:52pm EDTAugust 31, 2012 12:15pm EDTDez Wells will not be headed to Kentucky or Louisville as he departs from Xavier.

Staff report

Published on Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Dez Wells’ search for a new college continues as he ruled out Kentucky on Friday, sources confirmed to Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy.

He still plans to visit Memphis, Maryland, Ohio State and perhaps Oregon in the coming days, and hometown N.C. State remains in the mix.

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Wells, 20, was expelled from Xavier earlier this month because of a sexual assault allegation. Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters’ office fully investigated the charges and later blasted the Xavier administration for its handling of the case, calling Wells’ expulsion “fundamentally unfair” and “seriously flawed.” Deters said this matter “should never have gotten to the point where someone’s reputation is ruined.”

Wells, a native of Raleigh, N.C., says the sexual assault charges stemmed from a “Truth or Dare” game that ultimately ended in consensual sex. The next day, his partner claimed she had been sexually assaulted. The school acted swiftly and decisively in expelling Wells earlier this month.

With Deters’ public comments this week after the Grand Jury declined to press charges, the stain of this case now is on Xavier and not Wells. That has freed up Wells to pursue a transfer.

Wells ruled out Louisville earlier this week because the Cardinals had no scholarships available.

He will not be able to attend Kentucky because the school’s window for students to add classes for the fall semester had closed on Tuesday night. UK spokesman Jay Blanton told the Lexington Herald-Leader that a prospective student still could apply but that it would have to be done immediately and cleared by the dean of his major. Wells was not ready to make such a quick decision when he visited the UK campus this week.

Wells, who averaged 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds as a freshman at Xavier, almost certainly will have to sit out this season. He then will have three years of eligibility.

Still, the school that lands him will be getting an instant impact player. A 6-5 small forward, Wells is a tough, athletic and powerful player who defends hard, rebounds well and drives the ball to the rim with no fear.